Telegraph-key.



PATENTED MAR. 24, 1903.

W. E. DUNCAN.

TELEGRAPH KEY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

TNE uonms vnzns co, momufna. WASHINGTON. o, c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

WILLIAM E. DUNCAN, OFMAOON, GEORGIA.

TELEG RAPH-KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,253, dated March 24, 1903.

Application filed November 1], 1902. Serial No. 130,884. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM E. DUNCAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Macon,in the county of Bibb and State of Georgia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telegraph-Keys, of which-the following is a specification.

My invention relates to telegraphkeys; and it has for its object to provide a simple and inexpensive key adapted to enable an operator to do speedy and good work with but a minimum amount of exertion and one in which the key-lever is held against lateral motion or play, thus insuring perfect alinement of and contact between the points of platinum or other suitable material.

With the foregoing'in mind the invention will be fully understood from the following description and claim, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinalvertical section of a key constructed in accordance with my invention, and Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the same.

Similar letters of reference designatecorresponding parts in both views of the drawings, referring to which- A is the base of my improved telegraphkey, which has a contact-point a, of platinum or other suitable material, connected to but insulated from it, and B is the key-lever, having the usual button I) at its free end and also having a contact-point c, of platinum or other suitable material, complementary to the point a. The said base A and lever B are formed of a single piece of spring metal, preferably a steel, and are joined by a bight (1, so that the lever rests over and has a tendency to spring upwardly or in a direction away from the base. i

In addition to the elements mentioned the base A has an integral lip a on one edge. This lip serves as-a stop to limit the outward movement of a circuit closer 1), preferably of arch or bridge has for its purpose to guide the lever B and hold the same against lateral deflection or play incident to the vertical movements thereof, this with a view of insuring perfect alinement of and contact between the points a and c. It is provided, as shown, with a screw-tapped aperture e, in which bears a screw D, designed to enable the operator to readily regulate the tension of the spring of the lever.

It will be readily appreciated from the foregoing that my improved key is a material simplification of those extant and is so constructed as to enable an operator to do very speedy and good work with but little efiort. This latter is due in large measure to the fact that the lever B is guided in its vertical movements and perfect alinement and contact of the points a o is insured, and this without friction between the lever and its guide.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

The herein-described telegraph-key consisting essentially of the base A having the integral, upwardly and inwardly turned lip a on its edge, and the key-lever B; said base and lover being formed of a single piece of spring metal, with the lever disposed above and movable vertically toward and from the base, the arch or bridge 0 for guiding the lever in its vertical movements, and holding the same against lateral play; said arch or bridge being arranged transversely over the lever, and having straight vertical sides joined at their lower ends to the base, and also having a screw-tapped aperture in its top, a screw bearing in said aperture, and arranged for the engagement of the screw, contact-points on the base and lever, the metal lip cl connected to the point on the base, and a circuit-closer pivotally connected .to the base, and movable between the integral lip thereof and the metal lip d. it

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM E. DUNCAN. Witnesses:

' WM. THOMPSON, A. E. MARSH. 

